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Joy in God’s Love
In the Word
We love because he first loved us (1 John 4:19).
Of the Word
Elizabeth Barrett Browning wrote the famous words, “How do I love thee? Let me count the ways …” Yet when God looked at us, how many ways could He have counted? He saw our sins … red like crimson … (Isaiah 1:18b). And He loved us anyway!
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life (John 3:16). When He looks at us now — through the cross of Jesus — God sees us as the people He designed us to be: forgiven, loving, serving people. Though we sin daily, God’s love and forgiveness are always available to us. His love never fails, and He never withholds forgiveness from the repentant sinner. In Him we have comfort and joy.
Walking with my Lord
Thank You, Lord, for Your unconditional love. I could not have loved You first, and I could not have brought myself to You. Help me to respond to the love You have given me by sharing it with those whose lives touch mine. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Mustard Seed: Living in Joy. Authors: Dcs. Betty Knapp, Irene Mensing, Myrna Lou Meyer, Margaret White. 6/30 ©2005 Lutheran Women’s Missionary League, 801 Seminary Place Ste. L010, St. Louis, MO 63105. www.lwml.org
Scripture quotations are from The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
